Self-centering foldable umbrella structure

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a foldable umbrella structure having improved safety and durability factors resulting from a unique construction wherein the umbrella shaft does not penetrate the cover, the cover, instead, being disposed over the shaft and being free of any connection to the shaft. The cover is fixedly connected at its margins to the distal or outermost ends of the cover supporting ribs, the innermost ends of the ribs terminating in spaced relation to the shaft. The cover is free from fixed connection to the umbrella frame except at the margins whereby the cover is self-centering relative to the shaft. The apex of the cover is provided with a wear resistant cap which may readily be deflected upon impact, providing a safety feature.

United States Patent [1 1 Schwartzenberg Dec. 10, 1974 [75] Inventor:Julius M. Schwartzenberg, White Plains, NY.

[73] Assignee: Storm Hero Umbrella Co., Inc.', New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Aug. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 390,509

[52] US. Cl, 135/25 R [51] Int. Cl A45b 19/00 [58] Field of Search135/20 .R, 25 R, 26

[5 6] References, Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 16,340 l/l857 Selden135/25 R 1,824,192 9/1931 Bouma 135/25 R 2,076,525 4/1937 Bouma l35/25 R3,467,115 9/l969 Brooks et al 135/25 R SELF-CENTERING FOLDABLE UMBRELLASTRUCTURE Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mark T.Basseches; Paula T. Basseches [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to afoldable umbrella structure having improved safety and durabilityfactors resulting from a unique construction wherein the umbrella shaftdoes not penetrate the cover, the cover, instead, being disposed overthe shaft and being free of any connection to the shaft. The cover isfixedly connected at its margins to the distal or outermost ends of thecover supporting ribs, the innermost ends of the ribs terminating inspaced relation to the shaft. The cover is free from fixed connection tothe umbrella frame except at the margins whereby the cover isself-centering relative to the shaft. The apex of the cover is providedwith a wear resistant cap which may readily be deflected upon impact,providing a safety feature.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SELF-CENTERING FOLDABLE UMBRELL I STRUCTUREBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention is directed to an improvement in umbrellas of the foldabletype.

2. The Prior Art Conventionally, umbrellas comprise a shaft, acollapsible frame mounted on the shaft and a cover. The frame includesribs which typically are pivotally connected at their inner ends to-theshaft and extend to the margins of the cover, to stretch the same to adesired configuration.

In still other forms of umbrellas, the ribs are not connected directlyto the shaft but, rather, may be supported by linkage which shifts theribs between their extended or operative, and collapsed or inoperativepositions.

In known umbrellas, the central portion or apex of the umbrella cover issecured to the umbrella shaft. Typically the shaft extends through thecover, terminating in a wear resisting tip or projection.

Such known umbrellas incorporate deficiencies. The exposed tip,projection or extension of a usual umbrella, especially where the sameis pointed, is afrequent cause of accidents and injuries.

A further deficiency of conventional umbrella constructions is thesusceptibility of the cover to ripping or tearing in the area of theumbrella tips.

I have discovered that a cause of such wear and destruction of theumbrella cover and stitching is the fact that in conventional umbrellasthe cover is secured to the frame both at the tip and the shaft. Minorvariations in manufacturing tolerances, and particularly variations inthe length of the cover between the points of affixation to the tip andshaft, may result in substantially different stresses being applied tospecific areas of the cover and to the supporting framework, whichstresses, if excessive, manifest themselves most often in severing ofthe connections between cover and rib tip. Additionally, uneven stressdistribution may result in frame distortions.

SUMMARY The present invention may be summarized as directed to animproved umbrella device characterized by the cover being fixedlyattached to the frame solely at the tips of the ribs, the coveroverlying and being unconnected, and hence transversely movable relativeto the umbrella shaft. The cover is free to shift lengthwise relativelyto the ribs except at the rib tips. Connections may be provided betweenthe cover and ribs other than at the rib tips, such connectionspreferably permitting a degree of movement of the cover seamslengthwisely of the ribs while restricting transverse displacement ofsuch parts. By reason of the absence of any connection between the apexof the umbrella and the umbrella shaft, the cover is enabled, to adegree, to be selflocating relative to the frame, whereby the usuallyencountered variations in dimension of the cover resulting from impropermanufacture are more readily accommodated, with reduced likelihood ofdamage to the cover, particularly at its connection with the tips.

In the umbrella of the instant invention, the degree of movementpermitted between the apex of the umbrella and the umbrella shaftenables a wear protecting I ject, providing an additional safety factor.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the terminalends of the ribs nearest the shaft may be located in a plane slightlyabove the upper ter minal end of the umbrella shaft, providing a spacebetween the cap carried by the cover and the upper end of the shaft,whereby in the event of impact, the cover component acts as a buffer orspring, reducing the likelihood of injury.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved folding umbrella.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding umbrella ofthe type described and incorporating ribs for supporting the umbrellacover, which ribs have their outermost ends fixed-to marginal portionsof the cover, the inner ends of the ribs terminating short of theumbrella shaft, the assembly being characterized by the coveroverlapping the upper end of the shaft and being unconnected thereto,whereby the cover is selfcentering upon extension of the frame.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of an umbrellaof the type described wherein the'cover is secured to the frame in suchmanner that the cover is permitted to shift longitudinally relative tothe ribs at all points inwardly located with respect to the outerterminal ends of the ribs.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of an umbrellaof the type described wherein the cover, in the erected condition, willbe spaced from the upper terminal end of the shaft, providing anadditional safety factor against injuries.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein orbe hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella in accordance with theinvention in the collapsed condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the operativecomponents of the umbrella in the erected or extended position;

FIG. 3 is a magnified fragmentary sectional view of the uppermostcomponents of the umbrella;

FIG. 4 is a magnified section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

Tumingnow to the drawings, the umbrella is comprised of a shaft 10having at one end a handle 11, the opposite end 12 of the shaft carryinga notch assembly 13. The notch assembly 13'includes a plurality ofradially extending, closely spaced pairs of ears 14, the ears of eachpair being formed with aligned, horizontally directed apertures 15 forthe reception of hinge pins or, as is more often the case, a continuouscircumferential wire 16, which wire, in the area between the ears,provides a means of pivotally supporting the expansion links 17.

More particularly, the expansion links 17 include reduced end portions18 movably disposed between the spaced ears 14, the reduced portion 18including an ap erture 19 which registers with the aligned apertures 15of the ears 14, it being understood that the wire segments 16 betweenthe ears or the hinge pins maintain the apertures of the expansion linksand ears in alignment while enabling pivotal movement between the linksand the assembly 13. The expansion links 17form per se, a satisfactoryconstruction being shown in US.

Pats. No. Brooks.

In the illustrated embodiment, rib 21 is provided with a spaced pair ofhinge projections 22, 23, the section 24 of the rib between theprojections forming one side or element of a lazy tongs or parallelogramlinkage. Stretcher links 25 have their outermost ends 26 pivotallysecured to the upper projection 22, as by hinge pin 27.

Each of the links 25 carries a projection 28, apertures at 29, a hingepin extending through the projections 28 to the aperture 29 and througha complemental aperture formed in the expansion link 17, thus pivotallyto interconnect the links 17 and 25.

The innermost ends 31 of the stretcher links 25 are pivotally secured tothe usual control or runner 32 mounted for movement lengthwisely of theshaft '10. The runner 32 may include radially directed flanges or pairsof flanges 33.

The ends 31 of the stretcher links 25 are provided with apertures 34,hinge pins or a continuous wire 35 similar to the wire 16 of the notchassembly being threaded through the registering apertures of the runnerand stretcher links to effect a pivotal connection between thestretcher-links and runner.

A parallelogram link 36 has one end 37 pivotally conl836,322,I-Iaaker,-and No. 3467,115,

nected to the projection 23 of the rib 21 as by hinge pin 38. Theopposite end 39 of the link 36 is pivotally connected by pin 40 to theend 41 of drive link 17.

For purposes of rigidity, one or all of the link components 17, 25, 36may, in the usual manner, be comprised of U-shaped metal sections, whichsections may be provided with clearance apertures, such as aperture- 42in stretcher link 25, where relative pivotal movement between sectionsis required.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that a parallelogramlinkage or lazy tongs is provided by the section 43 of the stretcherlink 25 lying between the pivot 28 and projection 22, which section 43will always remain parallel to the link section 36. Likewise, thesection 44 of the drive link 17 lying between the pivot 28 and the end41 of the drive link will always remain in parallelism with section 24of the rib 21.

The linkage as thus far described is essential conventional and shown inthe aforementioned Haaker patent, comprising merely a parallelogramassembly, a component 24 of which is defined by a portion of the rib ofthe umbrella, the function of the parallelogram assembly being to enablethe rib 21 to be shifted between inactive position wherein it parallelsthe shaft 10, and an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 2,without the necessity of connecting the inner ends 45 of the ribs 21 tothe shaft.

It will be evident that in lieu of utilizing link components 36 andsection 44 below link 43, the parallelogram may be formed above link 43.In such case there is provided link 36' (dotted lines, FIG. 2), the endsof links 36' being pivotally connected to ends 45 of ribs 21 and tointermediate portions of drive links 17.

The shaft 10 may be provided with the usual cam detent 46 which iscammed into the shaft by a lead end 47 of the runner 32 when the runneris shifted toward the tip 12 of the shaft, the detent snapping behindthe runner and engaging its trailing surface 48, thus to maintain theumbrella in erected condition.

A cover assembly 49, typically formed-of cloth, plastic or the like, issecured to the framework 20 in the manner hereinafter set forth.

The cover 49, which is usually made from a series of pieced-together,pie-shaped sections, is provided with a series of tip members 50 securedas by stitches 51 at angularly spaced positions along the outer terminaledges of the cover. The tips 50 are sleeved over and fastened to theoutermost end portions 52 of the ribs 21, it being understood thatalternatively a direct connection may be effected between the cover andrib ends.

is, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, provided with a wear resisting capassembly 57. The cap assembly preferably includes components lyingwithin and without the cover, the assembly, in the illustratedembodiment, including a dome-like outer component 58, a partisphericalinner component 59, the two components being joined by a connector neck60. Preferably the upper end 12 of the shaft 10 is provided with a dome-Iike portion 61 facing parti-spherical portion 59.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the inner terminal ends 45of the ribs 21 are located in a plane slightly above a plane extendingthrough the upper terminal end of the dome-like portion 61 andperpendicular to the shaft whereby, as seen in FIG. 2, the elements 59and 61 are disposed in spaced relation in the erected position of theumbrella.

From the preceding description it will be evident that since the cover49 is free from any connection to the shaft 10 and is fixedly connectedto the ribs 21 against longitudinal movement at the tips or outermostends of the ribs, the cover will be free to center itself when therunner 32 is shifted to the erected position shown in FIG.2. Theimportance of the self-centering feature is recognized when it isconsidered that the fabrication of the cover member, as previouslynoted, typically involves the piecing together or seaming of a pluralityof individual pie-shaped sections. Normally the number of sectionscorresponds with the number of ribs. In the course of the cutting andseaming operations, certain of the segments may be longer than other ofthe segments, e.g., the distance from the connection to the tip 50 tothe nominal center or apex 56 of one segment may vary from that ofanother. In conventional umbrella constructions such variations manifestthemselves in distortions of the frame, e.g., since the ultimate frameconfiguration is dictated by the dimensions of the cover, it is manifestthat the. curvature of the ribs will vary in accordance with the lengthof the cover between the margin and the connection of the cover to theshaft. While the distortions inhering in the thus formedv umbrellas maybe small and not readily apparent, the tension or stress imparted to theumbrella cover and particularly to the stitching connecting the umbrellacover to the ribs or to the tips connected to the ribs may varysignificantly with variations in length, with the result that the covermaterial adjacent the connection or the stitched connection itself maytear. In such instance the umbrella is useless unless restitched, itbeing evident that such restitching may even further foreshorten thedistance between rib tip and shaft.

In the umbrella in accordance with the present invention, inequalitiesin the length of the cover segments are compensated for by transversemovements of the cap assembly 57 in the plane LL, FIG. 2. Thus, theself-compensating feature assures that the shape of the umbrella will belargely unaffected by variations in the dimensions of the cover.

Moreover, the ability of the cap assembly to shift so that its verticalaxis is offset in a lateral direction from the vertical axis of theumbrella shaft equalizes, to a degree, the stresses to which each of theumbrella segments is subjected, whereby the pulling forces exerted onthe connection between the cover and rib tips 50 are more readilyretained within predictable limits, providing a longer useful life.

The freedom of the cap assembly to move in plane L'-L is facilitated byslackness in and slidability of the connections 53, 54, 55 between thecover and ribs.

A further important feature of the invention lies in the safety factorprovided where the wear cap assembly 57 is not fixed to the shaft but,rather, is free to move relative thereto in the erected condition of theumbrella. As will be appreciated from FIG. 3, for instance, if the cap57 is inadvertently poked against aperson or object, the cap may belaterally deflected as a result of the contact. The lateral deflectioneffected is heightened by the provision of the opposed curvilinear orangular surfaces 59 and 61.

the frame both at the ribs and at the shaft.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what isclaimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A foldable umbrella structure comprising a shaft, a handle at one endof'said shaft, a notch assembly at the other end of said shaft, a runnermounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from said notchassembly, a plurality of angularly spaced apart linkage means extendingradially relative to the axis of said shaft, said linkage meansincluding a pivotal connection to said notch and to said runner, saidlinkage means being shifted between a collapsed position parallelingsaid shaft and an extended position spaced from said shaft responsive tosaid movement of said runner away from and toward said notch,respectively, cover supporting rib means operatively connected to saidlinkage means, said rib means being shifted between collapsed andextended positions relative to said shaft responsive to movements ofsaid linkage means, said rib means having inner and outer end portions,the inner end portions of said rib means, in said extended position,being spaced from said shaft, a cover member secured to said rib meansand overlying said rib means and said shaft, said cover member having anapexportion in registry with said other end of said shaft, and a capmember including portions extending above and If, for instance, the wearcap assembly 57 is impacted against a person or object, the curvedcomponents of the two'noted portions will be brought into contact witheach other, as shown in FIG. 3, continued movement of the parts towardeach other resulting in a carnming and lateral deflection of the cap,thus reducing the likelihood of injury.

The safety factor is further increased where, in the manner previouslyset forth and as shown in FIG. 2, the cap assembly 57 is spaced from theupper end of the umbrella shaft, in which event the tautened coversupporting the cap acts in the manner of a spring or buffer.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there is described anumbrella construction having safety and durability advantages whencompared with umbrellas heretofore known. Minor variations in dimensionof the umbrella cover have relatively little effect upon the geometry ofthe umbrella, in contrast with umbrellas heretofore known wherein thecover is connected to below said cover secured to said apex, said capmember and the portions of said cover located inwardly of said innerends of said rib means being free of connection with said shaft andlinkage means and being movable relative to said other end of said shaftin said extended position.

2. The umbrella in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cap member, inthe extended position of said umbrella, is disposed in spaced relationto said other end of said shaft.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of said shaft andthe under surface of said cap include opposed inclined portions wherebymovements of said cap member toward said other end of said shaft willfunction to deflect said cap member laterally relative to saidother end.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner ends ofsaid ribs are disposed in a plane above a plane normal to said shaft andintersecting said other end of said shaft whereby said cap member isdisposed in spaced relation to said other end.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer end portions ofsaid rib means are fixedly secured to spaced points along the margin ofsaid cover, said cover including, in addition, connector meansoperatively securing the same to each of said rib means at positionsspaced from said outer end portions, said connector means permittingrelative movement of said cover and rib means in a directionlongitudinally of said rib means, the connections between said endportions the remainder of said umbrella structure.

1. A foldable umbrella structure comprising a shaft, a handle at one endof said shaft, a notch assembly at the other end of said shaft, a runnermounted on said shaft for movement toward and away from said notchassembly, a plurality of angularly spaced apart linkage means extendingradially relative to the axis of said shaft, said linkage meansincluding a pivotal connection to said notch and to said runner, saidlinkage means being shifted between a collapsed position parallelingsaid shaft and an extended position spaced from said shaft responsive tosaid movement of said runner away from and toward said notch,respectively, cover supporting rib means operatively connected to saidlinkage means, said rib means being shifted between collapsed andextended positions relative to said shaft responsive to movements ofsaid linkage means, said rib means having inner and outer end portions,the inner end portions of said rib means, in said extended position,being spaced from said shaft, a cover member secured to said rib meansand overlying said rib means and said shaft, said cover member having anapex portion in registry with said other end of said shaft, and a capmember including portions extending above and below said cover securedto said apex, said cap member and the portions of said cover locatedinwardly of said inner ends of said rib means being free of connectionwith said shaft and linkage means and being movable relative to saidother end of said shaft in said extended position.
 2. The umbrella inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said cap member, in the extendedposition of said umbrella, is disposed in spaced relation to said otherend of said shaft.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper surfaceof said shaft and the under surface of said cap include opposed inclinedportions whereby movements of said cap member toward said other enD ofsaid shaft will function to deflect said cap member laterally relativeto said other end.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid inner ends of said ribs are disposed in a plane above a planenormal to said shaft and intersecting said other end of said shaftwhereby said cap member is disposed in spaced relation to said otherend.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer endportions of said rib means are fixedly secured to spaced points alongthe margin of said cover, said cover including, in addition, connectormeans operatively securing the same to each of said rib means atpositions spaced from said outer end portions, said connector meanspermitting relative movement of said cover and rib means in a directionlongitudinally of said rib means, the connections between said endportions of said rib means and cover and said connector means formingthe sole attachment between said cover and the remainder of saidumbrella structure.